ACE’s 2010 Fitness Salary Survey Results

The American Council on Exercise conducted a salary survey of fitness professionals to better understand the education and occupational levels of the industry and their associated salaries. Nearly 3,000 fitness professionals nationwide answered our 2010 salary survey conducted by an independent third-party research firm, the results of which provided an intriguing glimpse into today’s fitness industry.

As a certified fitness professional, you can use the survey results to guide you when answering career-defining questions, such as, “Should I pursue an advanced fitness certification to increase my earnings?” or “Is it worth it to obtain a master’s degree or is that time better spent gaining work experience?” Perhaps you simply want to see where you stand in comparison to your peers. Whether you’re considering becoming a personal trainer or you have worked in the industry for many years, the information gained from this survey will prove to be a valuable reference.

Average Salary/Hourly Rate by Fitness Certification Type
Overall, average annual salary rates for full-time professionals with Personal Training or Group Fitness Instructor certifications have increased since 2005, while part-time salaries have generally declined—possibly due to the fewer number of hours worked by these individuals as noted in the chart below. Professionals holding advanced certifications including lifestyle & weight management consultants and advanced health & fitness specialists out-earn those with Personal Training or Group Fitness Instructor certifications.

Average Salary/Hourly Rate by Region and Fitness Certification Type
Overall, the trend appears to be that full-time fitness professionals are earning more across most regions compared to 2005, the exception being personal trainers in the Northwest. However, part-time professionals appear to be earning less compared to 2005 likely due to fewer hours worked as previously mentioned. Professionals with Personal Training or Group Fitness Instructor certifications earn the most money in the Northeast, while those working full-time with advanced certifications of Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant and Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist earn the most in the Northcentral region. 

Salary vs. Education and Fitness Certification Type
In general, education levels are positively related to salary levels, particularly to full-time salaries. Lifestyle & weight management consultants and advanced health & fitness specialists who also hold a bachelor's degree earn 24% more than those with advanced certifications who have only some college. Additionally, professionals with advanced certifications with a Master’s degree earn 16% more than personal trainers with a Master’s degree, and 45% more than group fitness instructors who also hold a Master’s degree. 

Salary vs. Experience and Education
Years of experience in the fitness industry is more directly related to compensation levels than education. In general, more years of experience in the fitness industry leads to a larger paycheck, more so than the increase in pay associated with earning an advanced degree.

Most Popular Fitness Job Titles
Personal trainers and group fitness instructors still remain as the top job titles among fitness professionals, the top seven of which are listed below. Not surprisingly, club owners earn the most money among both full-time and part-time fitness workers.  

Employee Benefits Offered
Among full-time fitness professionals, there is a positive trend in employee benefits—health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K + employer match, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), paid vacation, paid sick leave and paid maternity leave are more prevalent among full-time workers compared to five years ago. However, benefits, including health coverage, remain elusive for part-time workers with seven out of ten part-time workers not receiving any employee benefits. On average across all benefit categories, advanced health & fitness specialists and lifestyle & weight management consultants receive up to 7% more in employee benefits.

Quick Facts

• Average salary rates for full-time fitness professionals have increased since 2005.
• Average salary rates for full-time personal trainers have increased by 19% since 2005.
• The top 5 states/territories reporting the highest annual income for fitness professionals includes the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Kansas and Maine.
• 54% of fitness professionals with an advanced certification from ACE (Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant) feel their advanced credentials enable them to earn a higher income.
• On average across all benefit categories, advanced health & fitness specialists and lifestyle & weight management consultants receive up to 7% more in employee benefits.
• 4 out of 10 personal trainers believe the recession has had a negative impact on their income.
• 69% of fitness professionals are paid hourly.
• Over 1/3 of all fitness professionals work 21-40 hours per week, with 10% working over 40 hours.
• 51% of personal trainers work for a club/fitness facility while 49% work independently.
• Resistance training, traditional aerobics and step training are among the top areas of expertise among group fitness instructors.
• 69% of personal trainers work with overweight or obese adults.
• 68% of personal trainers work with older adults.